Small Business Awards: Paul Bartley Community Award

Turner Tree and Landscape is a local giant in the landscaping business.

The company does business within a 70-mile radius surrounding Bradenton and has managed to forge ahead in what has been a very challenging economic environment.

But the company is also a giant in giving back to the community — the reason Turner Tree and Landscape has been awarded the first Paul Bartley Community Award.

The family business headed by company owner Darrell Turner is a sponsor for a number of community events and organizations including Manasota ARC, Florida Suncoast Winefest, Foundation for Dreams, Anna Maria Island Community Center and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Turner is active on the boards of Meals on Wheels, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Keep Manatee Beautiful, and Gulf Coast Business Exchange Service.

“As with all businesses connected to the construction industry we have sought ways to streamline our business,” Turner says. Those streamlining efforts included a 36-hour work week for hourly workers and reducing the company’s fleet and selling off excess equipment.

Overall, Turner Tree and Landscape’s business is down more than 40 percent.

With an eye toward helping its primary customer base in the construction industry, Turner Tree and Landscape has offered builders free upgrades on in-stock tree material.

“This provided the client much larger and more beautiful tree material at no additional charge,” Turner said.

Despite the decline in business, Turner Tree and Landscape continues to give back to the community.

Turner Tree and Landscape has a motto that personifies the company’s spirit of giving back.

That motto states: “One company can make a difference.”